Unraveling the promise of agroindustrial byproducts as alternative feed source for sustainable rabbit meat production

Abstract

Agroindustrial byproducts have emerged as a promising alternative for sustainable rabbit meat production. This scoping review explores their enormous potential as an integral component of rabbit feed, covering several categories of byproducts, including fruit and food wastes, agricultural pulp wastes, cassava root byproducts, olive byproducts, crop residues, sun-dried brewer's grains, dried distillers grains and solubles, and fruit pomace. These byproducts provide significant benefits to rabbit farms by improving growth rates, feed conversion and overall performance when carefully incorporated into the diet. They serve as valuable sources of essential fiber, protein, and other nutrients and improve rabbit nutrition. While recognizing their nutrient richness, this report also highlights the importance of carefully considering optimal inclusion levels and processing methods to maximize benefits while minimizing potential negative impacts. Incorporating agro-industrial byproducts into rabbit diets not only holds promise for sustainable agriculture, but also improves meat quality. Continued research and experimentation are critical to refine their use and realize their full potential in rabbit production, furthering the overall goal of sustainability and efficiency in meat production.